GOLD SCAM: City tycoon charged over illegal possession of firearm

A city businessman who was arrested in connection with fraudulent gold dealings has been charged over unlawful possession of a firearm.

The General Court Martial at Makindye Tuesday remanded Sam Buchanan to Kigo Prison hardly four days since he was arrested.

Last week, security operatives attached to the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence arrested Mr Buchanan and two other persons over allegations of conning foreigners in gold deals.

Sources say that Mr Buchanan and group were arrested on allegations of defrauding a businessman, a non-Ugandan, of $500,000 (aboutShs1.8b).

Mr Buchanan was arraigned before the Army Court presided over Lt Gen. Andrew Gutti and declined to plead to charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and bullets.

He said: “I have heard the charges but what I was arrested for is different from what is being read to me. I request for some time as guided by my lawyer to be able to understand the case.”

Mr Buchanan’s decline to take plea came after his lawyer, Frank Kanduho asked the court to first make an order requiring prosecution to disclose witness statements, exhibits and other materials they intend to rely on so that he understands the case.

While citing Article 28 of the Constitution and a Court of Appeal decision on disclosure, Mr Kanduho, whose submissions were overruled by court insisted that his client (Buchanan) needed to understand the case.

But the Judge Advocate, Col Richard Tukachungura guided that Mr Buchanan’s statement means denial of the charges.

Prosecution alleges that on August 16, while at Buziga in Makindye Division in Kampala, Mr Buchanan was found with unlawful possession of a pistol which is a monopoly of the defence forces.

According to the charge sheet, at the time of his arrest, Mr Buchanan was found in possession of 18 live bullets.

Prosecutor, Maj. Samuel Masereje asked court for an adjournment saying that investigations into the matter were still ongoing.

The remand of Mr Buchanan comes hardly a day after he filed an application for Habeas Corpus Ad Subjiciendum before the High Court seeking for release from an unknown detention facility.

At the court sitting before Justice Henrietta Wolayo, the hearing of the application did not proceed due to absence of the Attorney General.

"The practice of this court is to serve the Attorney General who should also be given some time to investigate and respond," said Justice Wolayo before adjourning the matter to August 22.

The judge ordered Mr Buchanan’s lawyer Mr Johnson Tumuhimbise to serve the AG’s office to be able to appear and defend the matter.

He file the application against AG, the Chief of Defence forces, Commander of Special Forces Command, Deputy director of CMI, Internal Security Organisation director general  and Inspector General of Police.

Mr Buchanan is, among other things, the chairman of Great Stickers International, which is into promoting professional boxing. He is also connected to a company called Fook Moon Agency Ltd. He is a renowned socialite in the city, known to many for his generosity.